Common Name: Red Ucuba

General Information

Red ucuba is a semideciduous tree with a wide, pyramidal crown; it can grow up to 40 metres tall. The straight, erect bole, which is often buttressed, can be free of branches for up to 23 metres and 30 - 40cm in diameter[, , ].
The tree is harvested from the wild for its timber, oil and medicinal uses. It is cultivated by the native people in the Amazon for its oil and medicinal uses[]. A very ornamental tree with an elegant shape, it has been used in reforestation projects and is recommended for landscaping, especially street planting[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

S. America - Brazil, Bolivia, Peru, Colombia, Ecuador, Venezuela, the Guyanas; Central America - Panama, Costa Rica, Nicaragua, Honduras.

Habitat

Found mainly in savannah and semideciduous forests at higher elevations, almost always on well-drained soils[]. It is not frequent in dense, primary forests[]. Grows principally in secondary forests[]. Found from sea level to 1,500 metres[].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Semi-deciduous Tree
Height	25.00 m
Self-fertile	No
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Grows best in a sunny position[].
Newly planted young trees are fairly slow to grow away, rarely surpassing 2 metres in height in the second year[].
A dioecious species, both male and female forms need to be grown if seed is required[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

The sap is used for treating ulcers and skin eruptions[]

The bark is astringent, emetic and stimulant[].An infusion is used in the treatment of dyspepsia, intestinal colic, erysipelas and inflammations[]. The bark is boiled with water and used to induce vomiting[]. The macerated bark is soaked in water and drunk as an anti-diarrhoeal[].
Juice from the bark is applied externally as an analgesic for cracked heels[]. An infusion of the bark is used as a wash for cleaning contusions and ulcers[].

A decoction of the bitter red sap from the bark is gargled or drunk to treat thrush and sores of the mouth. The sap becomes resinous on exposure to air and is then used to relieve the pain of toothache and to cauterize aphthae[].
An exudate from the bark is worked into preparations with psychotropic properties by the native peoples of S. America[].

Agroforestry Uses:

A pioneer species, it is used in mixed plantings in reforestation projects within its native range[].

Other Uses

The seed yields an oil formerly used as illuminating oil[]. The oil is used for making candles and soap[].
The seeds burn readily with a clear light. Native people stick them on a thin piece of hard wood and use them as torches when they have to go out in the dark[].

Cut or damaged trees exude a blood-red, watery latex that is similar to the kino of commerce[].

The heartwood is a uniform light reddish, greyish or brown; merging gradually into the pale golden to pale rose-brown sapwood[]. The wood is straight-grained; medium-textured; with a medium to high lustre; odour and taste indistinct. It is moderately heavy; of low durability; very susceptible to termite and pinhole borer attack[, ]. It works easily with ordinary tools and finishes well; nails and screws easily without splitting; it can be stained, varnished and polished with good results; turns satisfactorily; glues readily[]. It is used for construction, internal finishing in buildings, toys, light boxes etc, and is suitable for making toothpicks[, ].

Propagation

Seed - it has a limited viability and should be sown as soon as it is ripe. Sow in individual containers in a lightly shaded position. Germination rates are generally less than 30%, the seed sprouting within 30 - 50 days[]. The seedlings grow away quite slowly[].

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